Defoe's on the mend and could return for the run-in

Out of action: Jermain Defoe only managed five appearances before sustaining his foot injury

Jermain Defoe could be back in action for Tottenham's Premier League run-in after making good progress in his recovery from a foot injury.

Spurs hope Defoe will be available again from mid-April - meaning he would play in a part in the final six Premier League fixtures of the campaign. After making just five appearances before sustaining his injury, the return of the 26-year-old would be a huge boost for a team still not clear of relegation trouble.

It had been feared that Defoe would miss the rest of the season after suffering a metatarsal injury in late January - just three weeks after completing his £15.75million return to White Hart Lane from Portsmouth.

But the England striker is due to have the protective boot removed from his foot next week and should begin running again soon afterwards.

Defoe scored three goals in his five matches before sustaining the injury and Spurs have struggled without him. Even though fellow January signing Robbie Keane has scored twice in his last two matches - including the late equaliser in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Sunderland that took the club five points clear of the bottom three - no Spurs forward managed to find the target in five games between 8 February and 1 March.

Spurs face matches against fellow strugglers West Brom and Newcastle during the run-in, as well as daunting trips to Manchester United and Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Spurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko insists his first season in England has been a success - despite being dropped for the game at the Stadium of Light.

It is understood that Pavlyuchenko may be allowed to leave Spurs in the summer after just one season at White Hart Lane, as manager Harry Redknapp carries out further rebuilding on his squad, but the Russian said: "I am happy with Spurs and I want to win things here. London already feels like home.

"I am pleased because this is the strongest league in the world. I had set myself a target of 15 goals for my first season. I have got to grips with the style of English football and adapted my game.

"We've been frustrated by our League position for some time but hopefully now things will start to improve. Now we can't afford to take our foot off the gas."